The First State Bank of Adams County held a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new Winchester Operations Center on Tuesday, Dec. 8. Work on the project began just over a year ago on the home-site of the bank’s founder, Lucien Jerome Fenton.
Those attending included: local elected officials, members of the bank’s board of trustees, bank employees, and community members. Following the ribbon-cutting, food and drinks were served and those attending the ceremony were given guided tours through the new facility.
The newly constructed, two-story building features 44 work stations, two conference rooms, 1,100 square feet of training space, a kitchen, and 36 new parking spots.
The first floor of the new operations center will house the bank’s deposit and accounting departments. The second floor will hold the loan, credit and compliance departments. The facility will be approximately 60 percent occupied at the time of the opening, allowing for future growth.
“We plan to be the premier financial institution in our community, dedicated to providing exceptional customer service and high value products, while enhancing shareholder value,” Mike Pell, President and CEO of First State told the more than fifty people who attended the ceremony.
As of Jan. 1, 2016, the spacious, state-of-the-art training hall will be available for community members and organizations to use for meetings, events and trainings. The room includes a projector screen, white boards, and enough space to accommodate more than 60 people.
“We are absolutely thrilled to have the new operations center completed,” said Pell,“The additional space will allow our departments to continue to grow and we are so excited about the training facility and the learning potential it holds for our company as well as others within our community.”
The first phase of the project, the revitalization of the village park and Veterans Memorial, opened in August during the Winchester bicentennial celebration.
“Since our inception, First State Bank has chosen to invest in our future,” Pell told those in attendance, “We invest in our customers, employees, products, facilities, and communities. We stick to our mission to serve our community with passion.”
During the ceremony Pell recognized Charlie Stratton and Gail Longacre, the primary contractors for the completed project. He also recognized the internal team: Adam Poole, Dan Ferguson, Brad Jones, Shalana Shreffler, and Mike Davis – all of whom partnered with local contractors, subs, and vendors to bring the project in below budget.
The First State Bank was founded as the Winchester Banking Company in 1884 by Lucien G. Fenton, a U.S. Representative and clerk of the United States Treasury in Washington DC in the late 1800’s.
Today, the bank offers customers a full range of products including traditional, personal, commercial and agricultural loan and deposit solutions. Additionally, First State Bank customers have the option of convenient online and mobile banking. FSB Mobile App users also now have the option of mobile check deposit, so checks can be deposited anywhere, anytime.
First State Bank has location in Adams, Brown, Highland, and Fayette Counties, and one coming soon to Clinton County. To learn more about the bank, visit www.fsb4me.com
